Lets Make Games
Let’s Make Games! 🚀✨
The video games industry is a growing market in Northern Ireland, with over 25 studios operating, including Level 91, Blackstaff Games, Bellular Studios, Italic Pig, and Hypixel Studios, the biggest of them all.
Games are for everyone, but did you know that while half of all players are girls and boys equally, the games industry still needs more young people of all backgrounds to consider it as a future career?
In partnership with Northern Ireland Screen, we are offering FREE after-school courses designed to encourage girls and boys aged 11-14 to explore careers in the video games industry.
About the Courses
This FREE course is designed for young girls and boys aged 11-14 and will cover the essential skills needed to start creating your own games. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this course will help you learn the basics of game development, creativity, and tech.
You’ll learn how to use:
🎮 Gamemaker, a free 2D game engine for building your own games.
🎨 Procreate on iPads, where you’ll explore digital art and design for your game characters and environments.
Throughout the course, you’ll also get a chance to:
👾 Explore the game development industry and see what it's like to work in the world of tech and games.
🚀 Participate in studio visits and talks from inspiring industry professionals working in Northern Ireland.
The course runs for 4-8 weeks and is held in locations such as Derry/Londonderry and Belfast. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, learn hands-on skills, and begin your journey into the exciting world of game development!
More Than Just Learning
Our classes focus on hands-on creativity, confidence-building, teamwork, and—most importantly—fun! Participants will get to experiment, collaborate, and develop skills in a supportive environment designed to spark their passion for game development.
We believe that game development should be accessible to everyone. Traditional learning doesn’t suit everyone, and we recognize that there is valuable learning outside of textbooks.
Our team has extensive experience working with students from a variety of backgrounds, including those with special educational needs, homeschoolers, school refusers, and neurodivergent learners.
We create a welcoming and adaptable learning space where every student feels supported and empowered to explore their creativity in a way that works for them. Adapting our approaches always ensures that each student receives the support they need to thrive in our classrooms! 💪
Whether you're diving into game development for the first time or refining your skills, we’ve got you covered! We’re excited to support the journey toward becoming the next generation of AWESOME game developers! 🚀
Lets Make Games Pathways
We offer three levels of Lets Make Games courses for girls and boys interested in game development, each designed to match their skill level and help them grow in the industry:
Lets Make Games (Beginners)
This FREE 4-8 week course for girls and boys aged 11-14 introduces the basics of game development. Students will:
🎮 Learn Gamemaker to create their own mini-game.
✏️ Use Procreate on iPads for digital art and character design.
🏢 Hear from professionals in the game development industry.
Lets Make Games (Intermediate)
Ideal for kids with prior experience that have completed the Beginners course, so no need to apply at this stage. Over 4-8 weeks, students will:
🎮 Create a game demo using Gamemaker.
✏️ Design characters and environments with Procreate.
💻 Refine coding and game design skills.
🕹️ Work on advanced game design elements
Lets Make Games (Advanced)
For the kids ready to advance their skills and that have previously completed the Intermediate course, so no need to apply at this stage. Students will:
🎮 Create a full game using Gamemaker.
✏️ Design characters and environments with Procreate.
💻 Learn advanced coding, storytelling, and project management.
🏆 Tour local game studios like Hypixel Studios and learn from experts.
